Alabama carry status overview
Alabama is a permitless carry state. SB 1, signed by Gov. Ivey, effective January 1, 2023 allows any person 19 years of age or older who is legally eligible to possess a firearm to carry concealed without a permit. Open carry is broadly permitted. A permit remains available for residents who travel to other states that require reciprocity.
| Permitless carry | Yes — since 2023 |
| Governing law | Code of Alabama § 13A-11-73 |
| Minimum age | 19 years old |
| Open carry | Yes — broadly permitted |
| Vehicle carry | Allowed without permit |
| Permit available | Yes — Alabama Pistol Permit |
Nobody agrees what the minimum age is, because the Act never said
Act 2022-133 repealed Alabama’s permit requirement without stating an age for carrying without one. What followed is a genuine split in the published sources: some give 19, others give 18, and at least one national reference gives both on the same page.
The 19 almost certainly comes from § 13A-11-75, which is the age for an Alabama permit — a different question. Alabama’s age of majority is 19, which makes the figure look natural and is probably why it spread. Open carry is separately reported at 18.
We publish 19 and are telling you why. It is the cautious reading, and on a question where being wrong is a criminal matter we would rather be conservative and visible about it than confident and possibly wrong. If you are 18 to 20 and relying on the lower figure, this is a question for an Alabama attorney, not a reference site — ours included.
Two things worth knowing, one of them a holster rule
Open carry needs no permit, but the handgun must be secured in a holster (§ 13A-11-7). That is the same trap Texas sets, and it is the kind of detail that disappears from summaries because “open carry is legal” is the headline.
Alabama honours a carry licence from any state at all (§ 13A-11-85) — among the broadest recognition in the country, and unusually generous for a state that no longer requires a permit itself. Since 1 January 2023 no permit is needed for a loaded handgun in any vehicle either.
Permit for reciprocity
The Alabama Pistol Permit is available to Alabama residents who wish to carry legally in other states. Even though no permit is needed in Alabama, obtaining one greatly expands where you can legally carry when traveling. Apply at: https://www.alabamasheriffs.com/ ↗
Key prohibited locations
- K–12 school buildings and grounds
- Courthouses and court facilities
- Law enforcement and correctional facilities
- Secure areas of airports
- Any location prohibited by federal law
- Private property with posted prohibition
Always verify the complete prohibited locations list in Alabama's official statutes at the official statute source.
Frequently asked questions — Alabama
Does Alabama require a permit to carry concealed?
No. Since 2023, any person 19+ who is legally eligible to possess a firearm may carry concealed in Alabama without a permit. The Alabama Pistol Permit remains available for out-of-state reciprocity.
Is a permit worth getting in Alabama?
Yes, especially for travelers. A Alabama permit provides reciprocity in other states. Permits can be obtained through the state's issuing agency. Without a permit, your carry rights are limited to Alabama and other permitless carry states.
Does Alabama honor out-of-state carry permits?
Yes. Alabama recognizes valid carry licenses from other states. Additionally, as a permitless carry state, any eligible person 19+ may carry without any permit in Alabama.